Polls and Progress : Election driven developments in India

 "In India, development blooms during election time, Promises flourish, progress seems prime"

Recent visits by Prime Minister Modi, Chief Minister Pattnaik, and now Rahul Gandhi to our region, especially Balangir, raise questions: Are they here due to the approaching elections, or anything else?

Abstract:

Each year, political parties consistently adopt new developments as essential tools for securing victory in elections.

The ongoing development initiatives sweeping across our region, ranging from rural villages to urban centers, are primarily fueled by the government's concerted efforts, particularly in anticipation of the forthcoming 2024 general elections.

Why?

Introduction:

Election in india is lika a festival.During elections in India, development initiatives often gain momentum as politicians make promises to attract voters. For example, new infrastructure projects may be announced, healthcare schemes expanded, or welfare programs launched, all aimed at showcasing progress and winning votes.

Phony Politician:

During elections representative becomes very active and alert. They become more loyal to voters. 

Our elected representatives frequently disappear during their terms, only to resurface briefly before elections. After winning, they may initiate some welfare programs and attend meetings, but then seem to go into hibernation until six months prior to the next election. At that point, they reappear to reclaim their seats, often resorting to making empty promises and offering false hopes of development initiatives. Additionally, they engage in publicity stunts, such as having lunch in a voter's courtyard, in an attempt to demonstrate their simplicity while making insincere pledges.

Development initiatives often occur during elections in India for several interrelated reasons.

Political strategy: 

Parties use development projects as a strategic tool to garner electoral support. By announcing or showcasing ongoing projects during elections, they aim to influence voters by demonstrating their commitment to progress and addressing public needs.

These days, our Prime Minister and state Chief Ministers are busy inaugurating numerous projects and initiatives, including railways programs, farmer programs, new laws, and dams projects .Some states have also renamed central government schemes and promoted them as their own.

Indian context 

Recently The inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya was a momentous occasion that united the entire nation in celebration. While acknowledging its significance as a long-standing Hindu aspiration, some may question the timing of its installation during an election year, hinting at political motives. In a country like India, where religion holds considerable sway, politicians understand its potential to sway votes. Nevertheless, it's undeniable that the establishment of the Ram Temple is a historic milestone for our generation.

Odisha context 

In Odisha, the recent construction of the parikrama around the Jagannath Temple has sparked questions about the treatment of religious sites, potentially seen as political competition, particularly as the day of construction was declared a holiday. This trend is mirrored in neighboring cities like Sambalpur, where similar development projects are underway at the Samleswari Temple. Moreover, the proliferation of such inauguration projects across various religious institutions in the state underscores a broader trend.

Recently, our college has hosted numerous government-sponsored programs and events, notably the Nua O program, featuring competitions such as essay writing, debates, sports, cultural programs, and food festivals. While these initiatives are commendable, their duration has been excessive. Although intended to enhance students' physical and mental well-being, the program spanned one and a half months, resulting in unnecessary time consumption. This prolonged schedule even disrupted semester examinations, which were postponed to accommodate the program's continuation. It is imperative for the government to address such scheduling issues.

The Nua O Scholarship program stands as another significant example. While it offers financial support to undergraduate and postgraduate students, some may view it as a tactic to attract votes from the younger demographic.

Other initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi,Ayushman Bharat,Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana,Laccmi Bus, Shahara money refund program,Atal Pension Yojana, Startup India, Skill India Mission.etc.

Vote Bank Politics:

India's diverse socio-economic landscape requires a tailored approach to secure votes from different demographic groups. Development initiatives are often targeted at specific communities or regions taking into account their interests and concerns, thereby strengthening the vote bank.

Fulfilling Promises: 

Politicians frequently make development promises during campaigns to win elections. Implementation or highlighting of these promises during subsequent elections serves to remind voters of the party's commitments and enhance its credibility.

During elections, each political party unveils its manifesto, aiming to attract public attention and outline its proposed agenda for governance.

Media Attention: 

Elections attract significant media coverage, providing a platform for politicians to showcase their achievements and announce new initiatives. This increased visibility amplifies the impact of development projects, shaping public perceptions and influencing electoral outcomes.

In India, certain media outlets both print and electronic, demonstrate bias by favoring particular political parties while unfairly criticizing others, shaping public opinion in the process.

Competition among Parties: 

Electoral competition compels parties to outdo each other in terms of development promises and implementation. This competition fosters a conducive environment for the initiation and execution of various development projects.

This trend is prevalent across almost every political party in India, prioritizing development schemes for media visibility.

Public awareness:

Public awareness is crucial in India, where both rural and urban areas face challenges regarding political literacy. In rural regions, illiteracy often leads to blind support for government policies without grasping their consequences. Moreover, the issue of vote-buying persists, undermining the democratic process. Similarly, in urban settings, despite better access to information, superficial influences and monetary incentives can sway voter decisions. Enhancing public awareness across all demographics is vital for fostering informed citizenship and safeguarding democratic principles during elections.

Recently, the Chief of 5T in Odisha undertook visits to various educational institutions and cities across the state. Unfortunately, despite his efforts, a significant portion of the population remained unaware of his role and even mispronounced his name, leading to bizarre and shameful comments that went viral in the media.

Conclusion:

Overall, the relationship between development and elections in India highlights the complex interplay between political dynamics, public expectations and governance priorities. Although the timing of development initiatives during elections may raise questions about opportunism, their ultimate impact on improving livelihoods and promoting progress is a key aspect of democratic governance.

Opinion:

I'm not opposed to any political party, and I appreciate development efforts. But why do we see so much development happening all at once during elections? Why not spread it out over the entire tenure of the minister or MLA/MP? This bias raises questions about the effectiveness of these sudden bursts of development. If projects were implemented steadily over the five-year term, imagine the difference it could make for India. In this way India will get the status of a developed country.

Thank you for reading...

~Sugyan Nanda

Post graduate student of Political Science

Rajendra University, Balangir